Spiritual Support

The door is always open to the Chaplain’s office at The Ottawa Mission. Some people drop in daily to see a friendly face and others come in looking for guidance in a time of crisis. As well, an average of 25 people attend the small Chapel Service held daily at The Mission.

Many of the people who turn to The Ottawa Mission for help have experienced rejection, major disappointments, or have survived a personal tragedy. The Mission provides much-needed spiritual support to help these people along their life journey. The Chaplain leads daily chapel services and provides personal support to people in the shelter and others living in the community who seek help in coping with the stresses and pressures of everyday life. He also provides spiritual guidance to people dealing with addictions and to those living out their final days in The Ottawa Mission’s Hospice.

REFLECTIONS FROM OUR CHAPLAIN

Now that 2018 is upon, I find myself reminded of the spiritual theme of hope. In past years when I have watched the ball drop in Times Square, my thoughts would look forward with optimism, wondering if the coming year would move me closer to my dreams. However, I do find myself wondering if the coming year would merely be less painful than the previous one.

Recently, in one of our recovery groups, I introduced the theme of “hope” as a spiritual practice. The purpose of my session was to introduce certain spiritual practices that they can employ. When used, these practices serve to keep hope out in front of us as we face our fears and challenges for the future. During one of my recent recovery group sessions, one member asked a haunting question that completely broke my heart: “What if I don’t feel worthy to be hopeful?”.

Failure has a way of leaving us feeling that we do not deserve to be hopeful. I’ve come across many clients of The Ottawa Mission who have felt at least for a time, that they are not worthy of looking forward to a better life. The Ottawa Mission exists to deliver the message that everyone not only deserves the right to be hopeful, but that hope is crucial to recovery.

Without you supporting The Ottawa Mission, it would be difficult for us to convey that ray of hope to our clients on a daily basis. Your support gives us the motivation to pass on that message of hope that they are more than worthy of looking forward to the future with hopeful hearts.

My prayer for 2018, is that the clients and supporting community of The Ottawa Mission might look forward with hopeful hearts to the New Year.